The Red Devils have swooped to land one new centre back so far this summer, as Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly joined the club in a big-money move from Spanish side Villarreal – but new manager Mourinho may still want other options at the back.

New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho poses

He does have one of last season's star performers, Chris Smalling, at his disposal, but some question marks surround the futures of both Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo, with Mourinho allegedly keen to bring in a veteran centre back this summer.

As a result, The Times report that Mourinho is looking to experienced options ahead of next month's transfer deadline, and is looking at Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci and Zenit St. Petersburg's Ezequiel Garay, as well as Southampton ace Jose Fonte.

Fonte, 32, has been one of Southampton's key players ever since his January 2010 move from Crystal Palace, helping guide the club from League One to the Premier League.

A solid, wily centre back who has starred alongside various central defensive partners at Southampton, including Dejan Lovren, Toby Alderweireld and now Virgil van Dijk, Fonte would be an excellent mentor for the clearly talented but very raw Bailly.

Southampton's Jose Fonte and Everton's Arouna Kone

United boss Mourinho will surely have paid close attention to Portugal's Euro 2016 success, and Fonte was a huge part of that, starring alongside Pepe in a rock-solid Portuguese defence that conceded just one goal in the knockout stages of the competition.

If Mourinho is looking for an experienced, proven defender to help Bailly learn the ropes, then adding somebody with Premier League knowledge would be ideal – and Mourinho's compatriot Fonte fits the bill perfectly, though Southampton would understandably be reluctant to sell their talismanic captain.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.